EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE STYX: THE GRAND ILLUSION/PIECES OF 8 LIVE
SIMULTANEOUS DVD, BLU-RAY AND DVD/2CD OUT JANUARY 31
Two of the most beloved albums in the Styx catalog are 1977’s The Grand Illusion and 1978’s Pieces Of Eight. Now, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live on DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD/2CD on January 31 [Pre-book Order Date January 6, MSRP $29.98 for DVD/2CD, $14.98 for DVD, and $19.98 for Blu-ray]. This show was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, on the tour that saw them perform both these albums in their entirety for the first time.
This 20-song two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo. The staging of these two multi-platinum albums and the fevered response makes this concert a must for all Styx fans. The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live also includes the bonus feature “Putting On The Show,” an inside look at the people and equipment needed to stage such a massive spectacle.
Selling millions of records worldwide since their 1972 Chicago inception, Styx have branded themselves as one of the greatest American progressive rock bands. The current line-up consists of James “J.Y.” Young (vocals, guitars, keyboards); Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars); Todd Sucherman (drums); Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards); Ricky Phillips (bass, backing vocals) and Chuck Panozzo (bass guitar). Eagle Rock Entertainment has also released their Regeneration, Volume I & II 2CD set, a newly recorded retrospective (release date October 4, 2011).
Track Listing:
1) Intro/1978
2) The Grand Illusion
3) Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
4) Superstars
5) Come Sail Away
6) Miss America
7) Man In The Wilderness
8) Castle Walls
9) The Grand Finale
10) Great White Hope
11) I’m Okay
12) Sing For The Day
13) The Message
14) Lords Of The Ring
15) Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
16) Queen Of Spades
17) Renegade
18) Keyboard Interlude
19) Pieces Of Eight
20) Aku-Aku
Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world. Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide. Eagle Rock
Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.
I think Dennis is a better singer sure, but he totally dragged the band down with all that sappy, commercial balladry. Gowan is a much better keyboardist and a much more likeable performer.
Styx is much better with Gowan.
I can appreciate your point of view on missing original members. I have to say that Dennis dragged them into a less rock, more ballad state that the band and most of it’s fans, didn’t get off on. Gowan more than adequately replaces Dennis and adds a great level of excitement to their shows.
Agreed, Dennis likes them show tunes! Still, he’s got a one in a million voice. I’ve only got a couple examples where replacing a legendary vocalist worked:
1) Arnel Pineda – Journey. I reluctantly say this, because Steve Perry, is, well, Steve Perry. BUT, how many people go to each show and don’t know any different? He’s amazing. He still lacks that certain something on the Journey classics, but that’s splitting hairs.
2) Kelly Hansen – Foreigner. Another legend. How can you replace Lou Gramm? Seems they found a way. I gotta say, I’ve heard Kelly sing the classics in the studio, and while it’s not Lou Gramm, I still find it works very, very well. Kelly Hansen is one of the more underrated vocalists I can think of.
Still won’t buy the new Styx stuff. :^)
Let me be the first to say it. Styx without Dennis DeYoung is like L.A. Guns without Phil Lewis. Or JP without Halford. No thanks.